THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13467, 6 July 1909, Page 7

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

The wintry weather experienced last week continued yesterday, froonent showers falling throughout the day. The total fall for tho twenty-four hours ending 2 a.m. to-day was .0-in.

Our Oxford correspondent wrote yesterday:—"We were enveloped in a dense, bitterly cold fog on Saturday morning, and rain came on about 10 a.m., and continued till Sunday afternoon, when tho temperature rose, and the snow was melted on the front spurs. The creameries are slack, as is always the case at this time of year» partly because dairymen neglect to store proper winter lood for their cowa. One milk supplier, who feeds his cows generously on carrots and hay, informs nic that though the increase of milk from his herd has not appreciably increased, yet the cream has, and his test at the factory is very high. He advises others to feed carrots -to their dairy cattle. The weather now, though reasonably damp and wintry, is not sufficiently rough to impede farm work, and should we now get a good teste ot winter, there is not much to fear, as such excellent progress was made during the favourable weather. Sunday was partially fine, but the rain came down heavily to-day.'' At Hororata l.lOin of rain fell on Saturday and Sunday. The fall for Juno was 2.61 in.

After a brief respite, wet, wintry weather sot in again over the Malvern district on Saturday morning. During the day the rain fell mostly in the form of a thick driz_le, but during tho night and early on Sunday morning very heavy showers were experienced. Up to 4 p.m. on Sunday 1.37 in of rain was registered.. The weather moderated somewhat on Sunday evening, and yesterday morning appeared to, be clearing, but oy 11 a.m. further rain set in. For tho twenty-four hours up to 4 p.m. yesterday, .llin was recorded, making a total of 1.48 in for three day*. The rain has been general throughout the district, while on the hills fairly heavy snow was experienced. Th© total rainfall for the six months ending Juno 30th was 15.01 in, as against ll.OSin for the corresponding period la_t year. After a light rain, with occasional heavy showers at Ashburton yesterday, a heavy downpour set in last night. It was a cold rain, and snow would probably be falling on the hills. Rain has continued to fall almost without cessation in tho Methven district, since Friday night last, .and at noon yesterday it was Still raining; heavily. Farm work (at any rate that part of it which has to be done out . of doors) has been brought to a standstill, and the ground is .thoroughly - saturated. Our Methven correspondent states that owners of threaning . machines and chaff-cutting plants fina it a very difficult; matter to,shift in the paddocks, and the wire w>p© is almost in constant use, while ta»Tdlin«--on roads in this district that are still 77 nnmetaUed is almost impossible, <w- -• ing to the stringent by-laws of thfc> Ashburton County Council, whkto. make-.•■;, it anroffence to u_e grips on the wheels/ of traction engines whilst travelling on •• the public roads. Tho greater $>_ri of w tho grain has been thrashed in th**-;-district, and what there ia left will bo * allowed to remain in the stack until spring Several farmers are holding on 7 to oats, anticipating an inc*»»ae in price in -a couple of months. Pdtitoas.;--;., are nearly all raised, and there h«ra been several heavy yields,but bligh- 7 ; or disease is very prevalent, and mp-: mere complain that oven in 1h»; W>v very-great inroads are being made oj 7 this pest. Prices for this tufcer are > : very low in this district, and the mar- -■-.;■ ket has no sign of improving. Cs*ttoK and all classes of stock aro looking well, as up to th© present the weather! has been exceedingly mild, with ,»a '■". _now whatever and vexy few se-rom. 7 frosts." _.. ■■/^-7- : -7 .— ■■«£ j 7;7;:/77